Pistol



H. E. MILLS Dec. 5, 1944.

PISTOL Filed Aug. 24, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l H 2 I M v14 4 w M H L M a 6 a 6 i w y W I, g 6 j 4C E r T 3g A 4 4 x M .3. y 2 a I :7ll 2 a 6 INVENTOR fifiz rz 2r Maxis.

g A T NE Y Dec. 5, 1944. H. E. MILLS 2 PISTOL Filed Aug. 24, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z; 26 I }f E J. .5.

INVENYOR fled; Z-Z' M715 Patented Dec. 5, 1944 PISTOL Herbert E. Mills, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 24, 1942, Serial No. 455,834

8 Claims.

This invention relates to pistols.

A principal "object of the inventionis to .pro-

vide a new and improved type of breech-loading pistol with an extractor therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very inexpensive design of breech-loading type of pistol which is particularly adapted although not limited for shooting flare shells.

Another object of the invention is to provide a breech-loading type of pistol with a combined breech latch and extractor mechanism adapted to be operated by a very simple manipulation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which there are two sheets and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a pistol embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the firing mechanism in cocked position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1

bn with the breech open; and

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are vertical cross-sectional views taken in planes along the lines 4-4, 55, and 66 respectively of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the shell being omitted in Figs. 5 and 6.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration there is illustrated a small hand breech-loading type of pistol adapted for shooting ten-gauge flare shells. It is to be understood, however, that the pistol may be built in a wide range of sizes for handling various size shells. As illustrated, the pistol comprises a handle I!) which provides a main frame and forms a housing for part of the firing mechanism. A barrel I2 is pivotall mounted upon a forward projection M of the frame and is latched in the position illustrated in Fig. .1 by latch mechanism hereinafter described.

The firing mechanism is actuated or controlled by a trigger I6 which extends through a slot formed in the handle Ill. The handle it! and projection l4 may be formed by two complimentary shaped stampings which are suitably secured together and to whicha breechblock I8 is suitably secured. The forward projection M'is closed at the sides and at the bottom and forms a cradle for receiving the breech end of the barrel l2 which is secured within a barrel carrier consisting of a cylindrical portion which encircles the breech end of the barrel l2, and spaced legs 22 which are provided with aligned holes through which asleeve 24 extends. The sleeve 24 also extends through aligned openings in the projection l4 and forms a pivotal connection between the frame of the pistol and the barrel I2. The interior of the sleeve 24 may be threaded and screws 26 are threaded into the ends thereof for holding the sleeve 24 in position. Thebarrel l 2 is supported on the frame by the pivotal connection in a closed position wherein the rear end of the barrel is closed by the breechblock l8 and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for pivotal movement between such positions.

The breech latch mechanism comprises a plunger 28 which extends through a bore in the sleeve 24 and between the legs 22 of the barrel carrier. At the breech end the plunger has fastened thereto a cross pin 30 as illustrated in Fig. 5, the cross pin 30 being provided with a bore into which the end of the plunger 28 extends and a pin 32 extending through a bore in the cross pin 30 serving to lock the plunger 23 to the pin 30. The pin 30 projects laterally through slots 34 in the legs 22 and is adapted to cooperate with ledges or shoulders 36 formed in the sides of the projection I4 and forming a keeper for latching the barrel l2 with its breech closed. There is a shoulder 36 on each side of the projection 14 and such ledges are formed by slots 38 formed in the wall of the projection. The outside of the slots may be closed by plates 40 secured to the outsides of the projection M. The forward end of the plunger 28 has affixed thereto a trigger 42 and between such trigger 42 and the sleeve 24 a spring 44 is confined which normally biases the cross pin or latch 30 into position where it will engage the underside of the ledges or shoulders 36. The latch trigger i2 is positioned forwardly of the firing mechanism trigger it; and so as to be engageable by the finger of the operator. Pressure applied in the direction of trigger it to the latch trigger 42 when the parts are arranged as illustrated in Fig. 1 will shift the plunger 28 and the cross pin 30 to the left, thereby releasing the latch. Continued pressure will exert a force about the pivotal connection between the barrel l2 and the frame for turning the barrel 12 in a clockwise direction about such pivotal connection.

Th cross pin 30 has connected to it an ex tractor 48 which, through a cutaway part 48 at the breech end of the barrel I2, is adapted to engage the rear end or rim of a shell 50 for extracting the same from the barrel during the movement of the same from its closed to its open position. Therefore it follows that the application of pressure by the trigger finger to the latch trigger 42 will release the breech latch, shift the barrel from its closed to its open position, and during such movement actuate the extractorto extract theshell from the breech end of the barrel. When the parts are arranged as illustrated in Fig. 3, if the pressure is released from thetrigger latch 32 the spring 44 would return the .cross pin 30 and the extractor. to their other position. Tiltihg of the barrel ill in a counterclockwise direction about its pivotal connection will cause the latch element 30 to reengage with the shoulder 36 and thereby lock the barrel in its closed position.

The firing mechanism comprises a hammer 52 trigger l 6 to the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 2. The hammer spring 66 carries at one end thereof a roller 68 which is adapted to engage the back side of the hammer 52 so as to cause the firing pin to strike the shell after the trigger I 6 is pulled to separate the shoulders 58 and 60. A knob 10 on the hammer 52 is adapted to engage a part of the spring 66 below the roller 68 so that the firing pin is held away from the shell when the hammer is not cocked. A suitable stop is provided to limit the clockwise movement of the barrel l2 relative to the projection (4 so as to limit the opening movement of the barrel l2 to approximately the position illustrated in Fig. 3.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the descriptlon' is for the purpose of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

I claim: Y

1. A breech loading pistol comprising a, frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof, a handle, a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock, firin mechanism and a trigger therefor, a connection between said barrel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed position wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for movement between said positions, a breech latch associated with the barrel and projection and operable for holding said barrel in said closed position, a member connected'with said latch and adapted to be manually moved for releasing said latch and for moving said barrel from its closed to its open position, said member having a part thereof positioned forwardly of said trigger so as to be operable by a finger of the operator, an extractor normally positioned to engage a shell in said barrel and positively connected to said member for actuation thereby upon movement thereof to extract a shell from the breech end of said barrel simultaneously with the movement of said barrel from its closed to its open position, and a spring opposing movement in one direction of said finger operated member in response to pressure thereon and operable for returning said latch to its operable position and said extractor to its normal position, irrespective of whether the breech end of said barrel is open or closed, when such pressure is released from said finger operated member. 2. A breech loading pistol comprising a frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof, a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock, apivotal connection between said barrel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed position wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for pivotal movement between said positions, a breech latch associated with thebarrel and frame and operable for holding said barrel in said closed position, a finger operated member connected with said latch and adapted to be manually moved for releasing said latch and for moving said barrel from its closed to its open position, an extractor normally positioned to engage a shell in said barreland connected to said member forpositive actuation thereby upon movement thereof to extract a shell from the breech end of said barrel simultaneously with the movement of said barrel from its closed to its open position, and a spring opposing movement in one direction of said finger operated member in response to pressure thereon and operable for returning said latch to its operable position and said extractor to its normal position, irrespective of whether the breech end of said barrel is open or closed, when such pressure is released from said finger operated member.

3. A breech loading pistol comprising a frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof, a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock, a connection between said bar rel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed position wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for movement between said positions, a breech latch associated with the barrel and frame and operable for holding said barrel in said closed position, an extractor normally positioned to engage a shell in said barrel and operable for extracting a shell from the breech end of said barrel, a'finger operated member positively connected to said latch and extractor for releasing said latch and for moving said barrel from its closed to its open position and for operating said extractor so as to extract a shell from the breech end of the barrel during movement of said 'barrel from its closed to its open position, and a spring opposing movement in one direction of said finger operated member in response to pressure thereon and operable for returning said latch to its operable position and said extractor to its normal position, irrespective of whether the breech end of said barrel is open or closed, when such pressure is released from said finger operated member.

LA breech loading pistol'comprising a frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof, said projection being provided with a keeper, a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock, a connection between said barrel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed position wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for movement in the plane of said frame between said positions, a breech latch associated with said barrel and cooperable with said keeper for holding said barrel in said closed position, a finger operated member connected with said latch and adapted to be mantion, and a spring opposing movement in one direction of said finger operated member in response to pressure thereon and operable for rea turning said latch to its operable position and said extractor to its normal position, irrespective of whether the breech end of said barrel is open or closed, when such pressure is released from said finger operated member.

5. A breech loading pistol comprising a frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof, a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock and disposed above said projection, a pivotal connection between said barrel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed posi-- tion wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for pivotal movement between said positions, a latch operable for holding said barrel in said closed position, a finger operated member connected with said latch and adapted to be manually moved for releasing said latch and for moving said barrel from its closed to its open position, an extractor normally positioned to'engage a shell in said barrel and connected to said member for actuation thereby to extract a shell from the breech end of said barrel during movement of said barrel from its closed to its open position, said latch comprising a shoulder on said projection and an element carried by said barrel and movable relative thereto by manipulation of said member, said extractor being carried by said element and being engageable with a shell through a cut-away part of said barrel, and a spring opposing movement in one direction of said finger operated member in response to pressure thereon and operable for returning said latch to its operable position and said extractor to its normal position, irrespective of whether the breech end of said barrel is open or closed, when such pressureis released from said finger operated member.

6. A breech loading pistol comprising a frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof, a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock and disposed above said projection, a pivotal connection between said barrel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed position wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for pivotal movement between said positions, a latch operable for holding said barrel in said closed position, a member connected with said latch and adapted to be manually moved for releasing said latch and for moving said barrel from its closed to its open position, and an extractor adapted to engage a shell in said barrel and connected to said member for actuation thereby to extract a shell from the breech end of said barrel during movement of said barrel from its closed to its open position, said latch comprising a shoulder on said projection and an element carried by said barrel and movable relative thereto by manipulation of said member, said extractor being carried by said element and being engageable with a shell through a cut-away part of said barrel, said member having a part positioned forwardly of the trigger of the pistol.

7. A breech loading pistol comprising a frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof, a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock, a pivotal connection between said barrel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed position wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for pivotal movement between said positions, said connection comprising a pin to which said projection and said barrel are attached, a breech latch associated with said barrel and projection and operable for holding said barrel in said closed position, said breech latch comprising a shoulder on said projection and an element engageable therewith and separable therefrom, a plunger slidably mounted upon said pin and having said element connected thereto, said plunger being adapted to be manually moved for releasing said latch element from said latch shoulder and for moving said barrel from its closed to its open position about said pivotal connection, and an extractor adapted to engage a shell in said barrel and carried by said latch element for actuation therewith to extract a shell from the breech end of said barrel during the movement of said barrel from its closed to its open position.

8. A breech loading pistol comprising a frame having a breechblock and a projection extending forwardly thereof a barrel arranged so that the rear end thereof may be open or closed by said breechblock, a pivotal connection between said barrel and projection for supporting said barrel in a closed position wherein the rear end thereof is closed by said breechblock and in an open position wherein the barrel is disposed so that the breech end thereof is open and for pivotal movement between said positions, said connection comprising a pin to which said projection and said barrel are attached, a breech latch associated with said barrel and projection and operable for holding said barrel in said closed position, said breech latch comprising a shoulder on said projection and an element engageable therewith and separable therefrom, a plunger slidably mounted upon said pin and having said element connected thereto, said plunger being adapted to be manually moved for releasing said latch element from said latch shoulder and for moving said barrel from its closed to its open position about said pivotal connection, and an extractor adapted to engage a shell in said barrel and carried by said latch element for actuation therewith to extract a shell from the breech end of said barrel during the movement of said barrel from its closed to its open position, said plunger having a finger engaging member depending therefrom and disposed forwardly of the trigger of the pistol.

HERBERT E. MILLS. 

